Nineteen local youths have proven themselves experts at land judging, as the Liberty County 4-H club cleared the brackets at the State 4-H Land Judging Contest on Saturday, Aug. 9 at the J. Campbell Research and Education Center in Watkinsville.

The Hinesville City Council during its Thursday evening meeting approved a rezoning petition that would accommodate a grocery store with gas pumps. Previously, the council delayed a vote on the new store because the public had not been given the requested two weeks' notice before the request was presented.

Liberty Countians looking for entertainment Friday and Saturday evenings need look no further than the local Performing Arts Center, where Love-It Productions will stage "My Sons from Another Mother," the latest from playwright and producer Donald Lovette.

Trapper Jack removed four gators Wednesday morning from ponds in Hinesville's Bryant Commons Park. The city contracted Trapper Jack and his assistant, Valerie Jones, to remove the nuisance gators for fear they would attack children who fish in the ponds during special events. Bryant Commons, which is leased by the city, holds music festivals and events that draw large crowds. Jones said the gators will not be euthanized andwill be relocated 20-25 miles from Hinesville.

The first, and possibly the most important, issue discussed by city leaders during last week's annual planning workshop was a notice from the Georgia Environmental Protection Division that Liberty and Bryan counties have to reduce the amount of water pumped from the Floridan aquifer by 1 million gallons a day.

Marquana Adale Jasper, who has been charged with one count of aggravated assault and one count of murder, appeared before Liberty County Superior Court Judge David Cavendar on Monday. Cavendar heard Liberty County Sheriff's Office Det. Steven Teal's testimony, which established probable cause in the state's case.

Liberty County Parents! Post your back to school photos or videos on Instagram using the hashtag #LCB2S (Liberty County Back 2 School) and we'll share some of our favorites on our new Instagram account CoastalCourier.